Cardiac asthma

Cardiac asthma isn't true asthma. It's wheezing due to congestive heart failure. Excessive fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema) associated with heart failure causes signs and symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing, which mimic asthma.

True asthma is a chronic condition that occurs when the main air passages of the lungs (bronchial tubes) become inflamed. The muscles of the bronchial walls tighten, and extra mucus is secreted, causing your airways to narrow. This can lead to severe breathing difficulties.

The distinction is important because treatments for asthma and heart failure are very different.